STUDY GUIDE TWO

Last week we learned: we are to imitate Christ; that requires knowing him. We see the person we are to imitate not only in the New Testament of the Bible, but in the Old Testament as well. We know the Old Testament speaks of Christ because Jesus said so (Luke 25: 25-27, 32, 44-47; John 5: 39 and 46, and 7:38; Luke 4: 18-21) and other people in the New Testament understood Christ was in the Old Testament (Luke 3:15; Acts 17:11; Acts 8: 30-34; John 1:45; John 2:22; John 7: 42; John 19: 24 and 28; Acts 18:28; I Corinthians 15: 3-4). The most obvious references to Christ are in prophecies: examples include his birth, his death, and his resurrection. But Christ was also present in the very events of the Old Testament, starting with creation (John chapter one). He was with the children of Israel in the wilderness, and with Moses, and they knew the gospel. (Hebrews 4: 2&6 and 11:26)

SIX WAYS, IN ADDITION TO PROPHECY, THAT CHRIST WAS SEEN.

Direct appearances of Christ in the Old Testament:

1. WE SEE CHRIST IN THE OLD TESTAMENT IN THE APPEARANCES OF THE ANGEL OF THE LORD. From dozens of examples: to Hagar Genesis 16:7 and 13; to Abraham Genesis 22:15-18; to Moses in the burning bush: Exodus 3: 2-6; to the Israelites Judges 2:1; to Samson's parents: Judges 13: 3, 6, 15-24.

2. WE SEE CHRIST ALSO IN THE OT IN HUMAN FORM. to Adam (Gen.3:8); to Abraham (Gen. 18: 1-2, 9-10, 16-19, 22); as Melchizedek (Gen. 14:18); to Jacob (Gen. 32:24); to Moses (Ex. 24: 9-11); to King Nebuchadnezzar (Dan3: 19-25); to Joshua (Joshua 5:13-15) and there are no doubt others.

Indirect (symbolic) revelations of Christ:

3. (of six ways other than prophecy that Christ is revealed in the OT). There are people who picture Christ: for example: Melchizedek (Heb 5:6), Isaac (Heb 11:19), Boaz (the kinsman-redeemer), David (the beloved shepherd-king after God's own heart), Solomon (the wise, glorious, rich king), and Joshua (in Greek: Jesus, meaning savior)..

4.There are institutions and ceremonies which picture Christ: the priesthood (Heb 5-8), the levitical offerings (Heb 9-10) the cities of refuge (Heb 6:18). the Sabbath (Col 2:16-17), the Passover (1 Cor 5:7) and the First Fruits (1 Cor 15:20).

5. There are objects which picture Christ: the rock (1 Cor 10:4), the lamb (Jn 1:29), the Ark and the Tabernacle (Hebrews 9).

6. There are historical events which picture Christ: Noah's ark; the exodus from Egypt; Jonah's three days in the fish; the brass serpent in the wilderness (Jn 3:14); see also Hebrews 9:9, Galatians 4:24. Augustine: "The history of the exodus is an allegory."

Conclusion: 1. Old Testament stories were written to teach us (Romans 15:4). 2. People who picture Christ are a model for our behavior: we should imitate their actions. 3. The behavior of others should be avoided (I Corinthians 10: 6&11).